Khabib Nurmagomedov was a true phenom inside the Octagon, and even after his retirement, he remains a dominant force in the world of MMA. The undefeated fighter once mentioned how he started letting his teammates win rounds in training, offering them a confidence boost while still proving his superiority. Yet, Khabib insists that he’s still young enough to return to competition and pick up where he left off. If anyone doubts him, they should listen to how he recently schooled a reigning UFC champion.
After becoming one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, Nurmagomedov is now dedicating his time to helping others reach similar heights, whether they’re on the verge of greatness or have already claimed championship gold. One of those fighters is current UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who is part of Khabib’s training circle. However, as Muhammad revealed, keeping up with someone like Nurmagomedov isn’t easy.
Muhammad shared a story about how Khabib utterly embarrassed him during training before his title fight. “Khabib would say, ‘Get in the cage with me,’ and every time, it’s just embarrassing,” Muhammad admitted. “It’s not even humbling because he destroys you. He’s on top of me, about to give me the corner, and he’s ordering coffee from his guy outside the cage. I’m sitting there thinking, ‘I’m about to fight for a title, and this guy is casually ordering drinks.’”
For Muhammad, these moments of humility are essential. “It makes me realize I still have a lot to learn, even as a champion,” he said. “They’re probably looking at me like, ‘How’s this guy a champion when Khabib’s tossing him around?’”
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from the UFC in October 2020, following his victory over Justin Gaethje with a second-round submission. Since then, he’s transitioned into a coaching role, often helping legendary coach Javier Mendez and his fighters. As a part-time coach, Khabib’s influence has been crucial in shaping the careers of rising stars like Belal Muhammad, and it’s clear that under his guidance, Muhammad is on the path to becoming one of the all-time greats in the welterweight division.
But Khabib’s impact on Muhammad didn’t start when the two began training together. Even before joining Khabib’s team, Muhammad credits “The Eagle” for playing a huge role in helping him win his first UFC title.
Khabib Nurmagomedov had an even bigger influence on Belal Muhammad’s UFC success than most people know. Muhammad clinched his first UFC title at UFC 304 in Manchester, England, after defeating Leon Edwards, who had been undefeated for nearly a decade. Muhammad executed a dominant performance, relying heavily on a wrestling-based game plan to secure the victory.
While Muhammad deserves much of the credit for his impressive display, he also praised Khabib for being an inspiration in the lead-up to the fight. “The whole week leading up to the fight, the only thing I was watching was Khabib against Edson Barboza,” Muhammad revealed. The brilliance of Khabib’s performance against Barboza became a blueprint for Muhammad, who executed a similar strategy to outwrestle and dominate Edwards over 25 minutes.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s influence on the MMA world extends far beyond his own fighting career. As a mentor and coach, he’s shaping the next generation of champions, and fighters like Belal Muhammad are reaping the rewards of his guidance. Whether it’s through hands-on training or serving as an inspirational figure, Khabib continues to leave a lasting impact on the sport. Muhammad’s journey to the top may have been his own, but it’s clear that the lessons learned from Khabib played a crucial role in helping him reach UFC greatness.
